Is my dog's constant licking a hotspot, granuloma, allergy, or anxiety?

It looks like a lick granuloma which can be secondary to itching, pain, boredom, stress, OCD. They are commonly treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and bandages or E-collar to prevent licking. If that doesn't work then anti-anxiety medications, like Prozac, can be prescribed to see if that helps. Below is a link with a website with additional information. http://www.skinvetclinic.com/acrallickdermatitis.html

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

I'm not 100% sure what this spot is from just by looking at a photo. It could be just an injury but it could also be ringworm or skin mites (mange) or the start of a hot spot. I suggest you try this hot spot spray gel, 3-4 times per day. If after about a week or so you don't noticed much improvement or he starts to get spots in other areas then he needs to see a vet. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-hot-spot-antimicrobial-gel-for-dogs

Hello, and thank you for your question. A recurring hot spot may be caused by a stubborn bacterial infection, or underlying allergies, or both. Did you keep Dewey on the new diet for a minimum of 8 weeks, with no other treats or table scraps, and did the spot come back after you stopped the food? If so, he may have a food allergy and need to stay on a hypoallergenic diet for life. It is also possible he may need something stronger than a topical antibiotic. I would take Dewey back the vet within the next 2-3 days and discuss if he should be on an oral antibiotic for a longer time period, if they suspect a stubborn bacterial infection. They may also want to conduct other tests such as a skin scraping or fungal culture, to rule out other causes of itchy red skin (e.g. mites, ringworm). In the meantime, I would put an e-collar (cone) on Dewey to ensure he does not further damage the skin. I hope this helps, and that your pup is feeling better soon!

Since it sounds like this spot looks different that the spot that your vet saw 2 months ago, I do think it is worth having your vet evaluate this spot. Some dogs are prone to developing lick granulomas where they will continually lick and chew at a spot from stress. The longer the behavior continues, the harder it is to resolve the wound, so I would recommend having your vet evaluate it soon. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Allergies can be frustrating to diagnose since there are many potential allergens. They can include flea bites, environmental/inhaled allergens or food allergies or sensitivities. It can also be caused by behavioral issues, such as boredom or anxiety. Place an e-collar (cone) on Lou to prevent licking. Discuss allergy testing, food elimination trials and hydrolyzed diets with your veterinarian. A short course of steroids followed by antihistamines may help stop any itch and prevent it from returning. This may be a seasonal issue or it could be year round. You can also discuss anxiety medications and behavioral modification with your veterinarian. When you see Lou licking, distract him and offer a task, exercise or treat to redirect his attention. If he complies, praise and reward him. Be patient and be consistent. Limit his exposure to chemicals and cleaners to see if it makes a difference. Remove any candles or air fresheners from the home as well.

Dolly has a lick granuloma. The staining you are seeing around it is from her saliva. Often times dogs lick a particular area due to underlying pain (ie: arthritis in the joint). Sometimes it can be that something irritated the skin which started the licking and the subsequent reaction. No way to tell just by looking at it. Here is a good article about this issue: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/lick-granuloma-in-dogs I recommend you get her to the vet for some treatment. Usually steroids and antibiotics are needed to clear this up. Also, she will need to wear a cone to stop the licking. No matter what you treat her with it will not get better if she continues to lick it. Hope this helps. Best wishes!